Sean considered suitable punishments for the failure. Marc was not a man without usefulness. To incarcerate him only weakened the Genjix, and a physical punishment was barbaric and ineffectual. However, strict discipline must be maintained even among those counted as blessed. A lack of consequence for failures only encouraged complacency.
Sean stood up purposefully and towered over the cowering Marc. “Your standing has been lowered. You will learn that the Genjix are neither as soft nor as forgiving as your old comrades. Any more failures and you will be ordered to release Jeo to a vessel more deserving of a Holy One.”
Marc’s body stiffened and he involuntarily looked up at Sean, his face turning pale. Jeo wouldn’t be pleased if that order was given, though it didn’t matter to Chiyva what Jeo thought. Any decree from a Genjix of his rank was as good as law. Sean was sure the man had already learned his lesson and knew that Marc would be haunted until the day he could reclaim his place.
Tao is a great prize. Redouble your efforts.
Chiyva’s remarks puzzled Sean. Apparently, this went deeper than he thought. “He’s just one Prophus, Chiyva. I know you have history with him, but why is he so important?”
Your only concern is to execute my command.
Sean could feel the Genjix seething, which was unusual. Chiyva was always in control, but Genjix grudges always ran deep, tempered over the years of war. Well, if his Holy One wished it so, it was Sean’s sacred duty to see it done. He looked Marc in the eyes. “Do you believe your team can pick up his tracks again?”
Marc nodded. “It will be more difficult, but the question is whether he is worth tracking at this point. Even though he is still raw, he was able to elude capture. The Prophus have already altered all his records, and Tao has already trained his new vessel. He will be ready in the future. Is it still worth expending resources?”
“It is if I say it is. It is not for you to decide,” Sean growled. “Your access to Homeland Security’s network is now gone. You will have to focus your surveillance on high probability areas with the resources you have. You are now forbidden to make contact without my express authority. Keep your team ready to move at any moment.”
Marc bowed. “I am here to serve.”
“Serve better. Now, get out of my sight.” Sean picked up the deposition transcript and began reading where he had left off, already oblivious to the other man’s existence. Marc bowed and hastily retreated. Sean focused on his document, but his thoughts raced. Once a Prophus entered their defensive network, he would be difficult to corral, and the cost to continue this manhunt was extraordinary. There were better uses for their resources.
He had known Chiyva long enough to know something was amiss. Chiyva was extraordinarily meticulous and logical; to display anger and emotion was out of his character. Despite what Marc said, Sean also had doubts that his team could track him down again.
You have doubts about my judgment?
“Never, Chiyva. I live but to serve the Genjix.”
You question my motives then?
Sean hesitated. “I fail to understand the significance of this Prophus.”
One of Tao’s previous vessels was Rianno Cisneros.
The reason for Chiyva’s insistence became clear. Sean pulled out a small glass figurine of a turtle and caressed it in his hand. “Say no more, Chiyva. I will bear all the strength at my disposal to see that your directives are carried out.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE: TAILING
The Council must have anticipated my possible disobedience. Zoras revealed to me that Europe in its current state had already been abandoned due to a period of stagnation, and that the Council planned to wipe the slate clean in order to rebuild from the ruins of a broken world. They called forth a world-killer, now known as the Black Death. I was given a choice. The Council had sent a ship laden with plague rats just off the shores of my lands. If I disobeyed, the Ming would suffer just like those halfway across the world. I told myself that I had no choice. Looking back, there was always a choice.
Sonya watched Roen leave his office building and wait in front of the coffee shop. Like clockwork, he left work no later than he had to. He checked his reflection in the window and fiddled around with his shirt. What was Roen up to? Then he walked out onto the street, stopped and then went back to the window to check his hair. He seemed a little nervous.
Sonya chuckled. “I love his awkward mannerisms. They’re so endearing. He’ll make the perfect spy one day.”
If he does not pass that test tonight, he might not ever become one.
“I think these written tests you’re making him take are a little harsh. I never had to take them.”
You and Roen are not even the same species in my book. If Roen Tan was the first Cro-Magnon we had encountered, we might have put all our eggs into the Neanderthals.
“Now you’re just being mean. You still haven’t forgiven him for that night at the safe house. It’s been three weeks.”
Moments later, an auburn-haired woman came up to him and they embraced. Then holding hands, they walked into the coffee shop. Sonya shook her head. “Well, this is interesting. Our Roen has a love interest. He’s all grown up now.”
Do I detect a hint of jealousy?
“No. I don’t think so. I look at him like my little older brother. I’m happy for him.” She kept her eyes on the door. Then her eyes wandered to the dozens of people standing on the street. Did anyone take notice of them? Had anyone nearby made a move to keep him within sight?
I do admit that I am protective of you. You are Dania’s daughter after all. In a way, you are mine as well.
Sonya sipped her tea as she looked back down at the magazine she was reading. Ever since the night at the club, she had made a point to tail him on his way to and from work. She was worried that the Genjix were starting to triangulate his whereabouts. Already twice in the past month, Sonya found two other Genjix agents lurking in the South Loop area.
She finished her tea as she watched Roen and his mysterious date come out and walk down the street. They turned and disappeared around the corner. Sonya surveyed the surrounding area for any sign of possible tails. Sure enough, moments later, a man who was waiting at the bus stop turned and began to follow Roen.
The man with the gray coat and brown sunglasses?
“I see him; the one at the bus stop. That’s the second tail on this block that’s caught wind of Roen this month.”
We need to get him out of this area. They are closing in on his waypoints. It is only a matter of time before we miss a tail.
Sonya stood up and began to follow Roen’s tail. The man wasn’t half bad. He kept a safe distance from Roen and didn’t react strongly in any way when Roen and his friend changed directions. Sonya continued walking as she didn’t have a care in the world, keeping tabs on both the tail and Roen.
The three parties involved kept about a block apart. Roen and his girl, oblivious to what was happening behind them, continued on their merry way. The two walked into Grant Park and seemed to enjoy each other’s company. Sonya kept an eye on them and the tail as she trailed behind far enough to remain undetected, but close enough to act if the tail made a move.
“They seem very happy, and Roen’s a sweet guy. Why were you so angry with the kiss?”
You are meant for someone else. I do not want your future husband to be involved in all this.
Sonya chuckled. “That basically narrows my dating pool to nil. My entire life is this war.”